Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka issued a formal apology on Monday following widespread backlash over his recent remarks regarding the participation of Russian players in international ice hockey tournaments.
During a televised debate on CNN Prima News, Macinka had referred to the sport as a male domain and suggested that “our great feminists” would have to endure a tournament “without Russian ‘mužatky'”—a derogatory term for women that implies masculine traits.
The controversy centered on discussions surrounding the upcoming U18 Women’s World Championship in Ostrava. Macinka had publicly opposed the inclusion of the Russian national team while the war in Ukraine continues, stating he would not accept the Russian national anthem being played on Czech soil, Seznam Zprávy reported.
The minister’s subsequent comments about the players themselves drew immediate condemnation from across the political spectrum and the sports community.
Following the outcry, Macinka held a press conference on Monday to retract his words. “I must admit that my statement was very inappropriate,” he told reporters.
He expressed regret for how his interpretation of the event had impacted the perception of Czech women’s hockey and the wider sporting world. He also confirmed that he had reached out to the general manager of the Czech women’s national team to offer a personal apology.
Nazývat jakékoliv sportovkyně „mužatkami“ není odvaha ani názor. To je od @petr_macinka jen projev arogance a jeho pocitu nadřazenosti. A také nebezpečné přesvědčení, že on sám je něco víc. Respekt k druhým by měl být samozřejmostí.”
The incident resonated beyond domestic politics, triggering intense debate in Russia. According to reporting by nastartu.cz, some commentators in Russia have called for legal action against the minister, while others used the rhetoric to issue threats regarding the tournament’s security. Some social media users suggested the event should be relocated to a country capable of ensuring player safety, citing the minister’s stance on the national anthem as a provocation.
Athletes and Officials Criticize the Minister's Remarks
Professional athletes and government officials were among the first to criticize the minister’s choice of words. Czech NHL players, including forward Martin Nečas and goaltender Lukáš Dostál, defended the female athletes and expressed disbelief at the minister’s public rhetoric. “He chose his proven method of blunt provocation, insulted one half of the population and angered the other,” Dostál wrote on Instagram.
The coaching staff of the Czech women’s team also dismissed the notion that the sport is inherently male-centric. Ivo Mocek, an assistant coach for the women’s national team, emphasized the dedication and hard work female athletes commit to their craft. “He probably hasn’t seen the hard work that goes into women’s sports,” Mocek told reporters, highlighting the recent success of Czech teams across various age categories.
Government colleagues also distanced themselves from the comments. While Macinka said that members of the cabinet “tactfully moved on” from the topic during their Monday meeting, other political figures were more vocal.
Minister of Education Robert Plaga said women’s matches attract many fans, noting that all seven games played by the Czech team at the 2025 World Championship in České Budějovice sold out, an achievement he said had nothing to do with feminism.
K ženskému hokeji (sportu) jednu edukativní poznámku: Na každý ze sedmi zápasů českých hokejistek na MS 2025 v Českých Budějovicích bylo vyprodáno (5 859 diváků). A s feminismem to fakt nesouviselo.
Officials Discuss U18 Women's World Championship Logistics
The fallout from the remarks has necessitated high-level discussions regarding the upcoming January U18 Women’s World Championship. Macinka is scheduled to meet with Alois Hadamczik of the Czech Ice Hockey Association, and Petr Bříza, vice president of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), to address the logistics of the tournament.
The primary focus of these talks includes the potential participation of Russian athletes and the security implications for the event. Hadamczik has previously sought government guidance on how to manage potential sanctions or complications if the Czech team refuses to play against Russian opponents.
As of Monday, the discussions remain focused on whether Russian players might attempt to enter the tournament via other Schengen area countries, a detail highlighted by nastartu.cz.
